OLYMPICS / Cultural Olympics

The Philosophy of Harmony

Chinaculture.org
Updated: 2008-08-09 13:36

 

"One World, One Dream" is simple in expressions, but profound in meaning. It is of China, and also of the world. It is a profound manifestation of the core concepts of the Beijing Olympic Games. It reflects the values of harmony connoted in the concept of "People's Olympics," the core and soul of the three concepts -- "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics." While "Harmony of Man with Nature" and "Peace Enjoys Priority" are the philosophies and ideals of the Chinese people since ancient times in their pursuit of the harmony between Man and Nature and the harmony among people, building up a harmonious society and achieving harmonious development are the dream and aspirations of the Chinese.

The Theme of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay is "Journey of Harmony." The theme embodies the Olympic ideal of “placing sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.”

“Harmony” boasts strong Chinese characteristics, and expresses the traditional Chinese philosophy in pursuit of a balance between man and nature, among people and between man's body and soul. The theory that man is an integral part of nature first originated in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (770-221BC). The theory, as a basic notion in Chinese philosophy, insists that the politics and ethics of human beings are a direct reflection of nature.

"Harmony" is rich in connotation and full of profound philosophy of great wisdom. It advocates, first, diversity and, second, balance and "arriving at the same destination by different routes, reaching unanimity after taking many things into consideration;" it encourages the virtue of magnanimity, promotes the broad and profound spirit of “great virtue carrying substance with it", featuring tolerance, compatibility, and honesty and moderation. Gathering different things together and making them balanced is called "harmony". "Harmony" can generate new things, when five-tones are harmonious, the sound is audible; when the five-colors are harmonious, they become a set of well-designed pattern; and when five flavors are harmonious, they are edible.

When this logic is inferred to administration, we must harmonize various kinds of interests, synthesize different opinions and defuse complicated contradictions. If same things are piled up together, they cannot give birth to new things and so they cannot be full of vigor, instead, the phenomenon of "such same things that cannot continue to exist" will emerge.

When "harmony" is used in interpersonal relations, "magnanimity will win over the public;" when one treats others liberally, he or she will win others' confidence. For instance, one in a high position should treat others with an attitude of leniency and show his courtesy.

When "harmony" is used in politics, then there can be "logical administration and harmonious people," historical development can be promoted, and prosperous culture can be achieved. "Harmony" can promote the birth of new things and new thoughts and bring about a situation featuring the blossoming of one hundred flowers and a blaze of color. Conversely, there can only be a situation in which ten thousand horses were muted, and neither crow nor sparrow could be heard.

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